36 Week Appointment

Well, not too much to report from my doctor's appointment today, except that my doctor was a little concerned that baby is on the small side, so I am going to have an ultrasound on Friday to check on him.  Ben has suggested pumping myself full of calories, however I am not sure that would turn out with exactly the results we would hope for.  Maybe I'll just enjoy getting to peek at him and see how he's doing!

Date Night

The best thing happened.  My mom called and asked if Ben and I wanted to go see Fireproof, a new movie.  First of all let me say that you MUST see this movie, it is the best ever, and I am so glad we were able to go and support this Christian film.  Then, we went and got some sushi at the aforementioned Seafresh, and it was totally awesome.  Don't worry, everything I got was cooked.  We shared a Seaweed Salad, a Spicy Shrimp roll, and one other that I can't remember.  So, so good.  We had the best night, and I am so thankful... It was so special, and the timing was perfect, since baby will be along soon enough.  Thank you God for an awesome night with an awesome hubby and an awesome mom willing to watch our awesome kids.  Oh yeah, and awesome food too. =)

Cravings...

Well, as far as my pregnancies have gone, I have NOT had (oops!, when it first posted it said I did!) huge cravings that were like, "I MUST HAVE....!"  But of course, we haven't ever really been a family that could indulge such cravings if I had them, since the budget is always pretty tight.  But, if I were going to sum up each pregnancy according to the most desired things to eat, I think it would go as follows:

Emma:  Well, it all started at Fresh Choice (salad!!)  There's where I told Ben the news that we were having our first baby.  After that, I pretty much couldn't eat anything that was super healthy.  I liked Nacho Cheese Doritos.  

Caleb:  The thing I wanted most often when I was pregnant with Caleb were those yummy little clementine tangerines.  They were awesome.

Noah:  Cocoa puffs.  I did also enjoy cucumbers in the Chinese Chicken Salad dressing from Trader Joe's...

Baby Knight:  Well, I didn't feel so hot in the beginning.  But as of late, the only things on my mind are 1) ICE and 2) Seafresh.  Seafresh is a restaurant here in Ojai that has some killer sushi rolls and a to-die for Seaweed Salad.  Yum. 

So, your turn?  What did you crave?

34 weeks

It occurred to me that I haven't done a whole lot of "baby" posting on the blog.  That is kind of sad, especially since we are towards the end here... but, I thought I would at least try!!  (Poor baby #4!)  Anyway, I debated not going to my 34 week appointment, and those of you who know me well are laughing, I am sure.  It's not that I don't like going, but once you get into going every two weeks, or one week, it is hard because life with the three other children must still go on!  And, between Noah's surgery (which was this week) and driving down to L.A. (gas is still expensive, even though it is under $4/gallon!), and homeschool, and laundry and dishes and groceries... sometimes it is hard to make the time to drive down to Ventura for the appointment.  But my DH (evidently in blogging world, this stands for Dear Husband, and I am now trying to be cool by using it) made a good point.  These appointments aren't just for me, but also for my doctor to get to know me and to be able to notice changes or things that might mean something more than I think.  So, I did go and I am glad that I did.  I got my grocery shopping done as well, so I actually accomplished quite a bit.  Anyway, no big news to report, except that Baby Knight is doing well, and his heartbeat is REALLY strong.  Two weeks ago, I was applauded for only gaining 1 pound in a month!!  (Ben attributed this to my bike riding) Well, here it is two weeks later, and let's just say that I made up for it by gaining about 5 pounds in two weeks.  Go figure.  =)  Anyway, I am supposed to pre-register at the hospital sometime soon, and then at my next appointment (36 weeks) she will start checking me to see where I am and to get a better idea of the baby's position.  I am excited to meet this sweet one, and yet this week brought the panic that I always feel at some point, "Am I ready?"  And of course, "I'm not sure I am doing a good job with the ones I have, should I really be allowed to have another one??"  And oh yes, "If I am already getting up five times in the night with the various other children, how in the world will I be able to take care of a newborn all night as well???"  God is gracious.  He calms me, and reminds me that He is in control, and Baby Knight is going to come at just the right time.  And when he does, His grace will be sufficient to meet the needs of these ones He has given us.  Until then, we wait.  Well, we wait and do laundry and dishes, and cook, and clean, and do schoolwork, and ride bikes.... =)

Update on Noah...

Well, Noah had his surgery today!  We were so fortunate to have a church full of people praying for him.  They called us yesterday to inform us that they moved his surgery time from 12:45pm to 10:45am, which meant that we had to drop off Emma and Caleb with my mom at 5:30am.  (She was a trooper too!!)  But, Noah didn't complain or fuss at all, even when we handed him over and the nurse took him in for the surgery.  The surgery went just as planned, although he was not quite so happy when we went in to be with him post-op.  He pulled out his own IV, and after some gatorade, threw up.  He threw up some more on the car ride home, probably due to the anesthesia.  But all in all, he was such a trooper and he is almost back to normal.  Thanks for your prayers and concern... and we appreciate your continued prayers for his recovery, he is still kind of "uncomfortable."  

Jalama...

Well, I'm eight months pregnant... seems like a great time for camping!!!  I sometimes get these ideas into my head, but this one actually turned out really well.  We decided to go ahead and take a family camping trip up to Jalama State Beach.  Interestingly enough, the last time we went camping I was pregnant!!  Anyway, Jalama is a first-come, first-serve camp ground.  When we got there, it was already pretty full.  What a testimony as to how our God knows and cares about every detail!!  It was as if He himself picked our camp spot.  It was right next to the restroom, right across from the playground and the beach, and very close to the general store/restaurant.  It was a great time, and after our wonderful night, we decided to leave on the upside so that we can come back again soon.  Ben got in some surfing time, the kids and I finished reading Pollyanna, and we all slept in the big 'ol tent.  Good times.  Here are some of my favorite pictures:

Helping Daddy set up camp.  

Beautiful beach day!

Everyone has to help!

Proof that I was actually there.

Proud of Emma...

So, we started our "new" school year today... we actually never really stopped school, because it gives us the freedom to take days off as needed, especially with the new baby coming.  Anyway, we started all our new stuff today, including continuing on with what we had been doing.  The kids did a great job, and I am very proud of both of them and their work.  But the thing we just had to blog about (per husband's instructions)???

The etch-a-sketch.  Oh yeah, she rocked it...